The Juilliard School has become the prestigious new home for an unparalleled collection of musical history, thanks to a generous bequest from the celebrated John Williams Composer. The Academy Award-winning maestro, renowned for his iconic film scores and distinguished concert works, is donating his complete library of concert and film music scores, along with his personal sketchbooks, to the esteemed institution. This monumental gift, announced at a special alumni event in Beverly Hills where Mr. Williams received the President’s Medal from Juilliard President Joseph W. Polisi, promises to be an invaluable resource for music scholars and students for generations to come.
President Polisi expressed profound gratitude for this transformative contribution, stating, “We are deeply honored by John’s extraordinary generosity in entrusting Juilliard with his vast collection of scores. As a long-time friend and colleague, we recognize John not only as a brilliant composer, but as a visionary whose creativity and boundless imagination have made him a musical icon. This collection will offer a unique and intimate study for our students, especially those in composition, allowing them direct access to the workings of one of history’s most versatile and influential composers.”
For John Williams, whose formative years included piano studies under Rosina Lhévinne, a revered faculty member at Juilliard, the donation reflects a deep respect for the institution. “From my earliest aspirations as a young pianist,” Mr. Williams remarked, “Juilliard has always represented the pinnacle of musical education in the United States and globally. It is with immense pride that I entrust my sketches, manuscripts, and scores to Juilliard, hoping they will serve as a resource for students particularly drawn to the intricate art of film scoring and composition.”
Jane Gottlieb, Juilliard’s Vice President for Library and Information Resources, underscored the significance of the John Williams Music Collection, stating, “This extraordinary archive will provide unparalleled insights for scholars, students, and anyone seeking to understand the remarkable breadth and depth of Mr. Williams’ career as both a composer and conductor. The collection will illuminate his creative process and his indelible mark on the world of music.”
The John Williams Music Collection will be a cornerstone of the Peter Jay Sharp Special Collections and Juilliard School Archives, joining distinguished collections from Jennie Tourel and Soulima Stravinsky, among others. Located within the Lila Acheson Wallace Library, these special collections are regularly exhibited, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of musical history housed at Juilliard.
At 86 years young, and marking his sixtieth year as a prolific composer for both concert halls and Hollywood, john williams composer continues to create and inspire. His upcoming work, a fantasia for cello, harp, and orchestra titled Highwood’s Ghost, is set to premiere at Tanglewood by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andris Nelsons, celebrating the Leonard Bernstein Centennial. This piece was specifically composed for Juilliard alumnus Yo-Yo Ma and harpist Jessica Zhou, further cementing his connection to the school. Mr. Williams holds the esteemed title of Boston Pops Laureate Conductor, a position he assumed after a celebrated 14-season tenure. He also serves as artist in residence at Tanglewood, highlighting his ongoing commitment to fostering musical excellence.
Beyond his celebrated film scores, the concert works of john williams composer are substantial and widely performed. They include two symphonies, concertos for cello and harp (written for the Boston Symphony Orchestra), a bassoon concerto (for the New York Philharmonic), a trumpet concerto (for the Cleveland Orchestra), and a horn concerto (for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra). His versatility extends to composing Air and Simple Gifts for President Barack Obama’s first inaugural ceremony in 2009, demonstrating his ability to create impactful music across diverse platforms.
The accolades bestowed upon john williams composer are staggering, reflecting his profound impact on music and cinema. He has garnered five Academy Awards and an astounding 24 Grammy Awards, with his most recent Grammy win in January. His 51 Academy Award nominations surpass any other living individual, with his latest nomination for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. He has shaped the soundscapes of over 100 films, serving as composer and music director, including all nine Star Wars saga films, the initial three Harry Potter installments, Superman, JFK, Born on the Fourth of July, Memoirs of a Geisha, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and countless others. His four-decade artistic partnership with Steven Spielberg has yielded some of cinema’s most iconic and emotionally resonant scores, such as Schindler’s List (featuring Juilliard faculty member and alumnus Itzhak Perlman), Jaws, Jurassic Park, the Indiana Jones series, Saving Private Ryan, and Lincoln. Furthermore, john williams composer has contributed significantly to television music, scoring over 200 television films and creating unforgettable themes for the 1984, 1988, 1996 Summer Olympic Games, and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
In addition to these prestigious awards, john williams composer boasts seven British Academy Awards (BAFTA), four Golden Globes, five Emmys, and numerous gold and platinum records. He received Kennedy Center Honors in 2004, was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2009, and received the National Medal of Arts the same year. In a landmark recognition of his craft, the American Film Institute bestowed upon him their 44th Life Achievement Award in 2016, marking the first time a composer received this honor, further solidifying his legacy as a john williams composer of unparalleled influence.
Born in Flushing, New York, in 1932, the son of a CBS radio orchestra percussionist, john williams composer began his musical journey at age six, studying piano. His family relocated to Los Angeles during his high school years, where he attended UCLA and Los Angeles City College, focusing on orchestration. He also honed his composition skills privately with Italian composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. His service in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War saw him arranging, conducting, and performing music for military bands. Returning to civilian life in 1954, he pursued piano studies with Rosina Lhévinne at Juilliard and explored jazz piano in nightclubs. By 1956, he was back in Los Angeles, embarking on his film industry career as a studio pianist, with South Pacific among his early projects. He collaborated with esteemed film composers, including Juilliard alumnus Bernard Herrmann, enriching his experience and paving his path to becoming the legendary john williams composer we know today.
Mr. Williams’ enduring relationship with Juilliard includes an honorary doctorate in 2004 and conducting the Juilliard Orchestra at the school’s centennial gala in 2006, broadcast on Live From Lincoln Center. In 2011, Juilliard honored him by naming its orchestra library the John Williams Orchestra Library, a testament to his profound impact on the institution and the world of music.
About Juilliard’s Library and Archives
The Lila Acheson Wallace Library at Juilliard stands as a comprehensive resource, supporting the school’s diverse performance and research needs. Its extensive collection encompasses over 85,000 music scores, including scholarly and historical editions, 27,000 books on music, dance, drama, and related subjects, 26,000 sound recordings, and 3,000 videos. Juilliard proudly houses the Juilliard Manuscript Collection, a world-renowned collection of autograph manuscripts, composer sketches, and rare editions. Complementing this is the Peter Jay Sharp Special Collections, featuring rare printed editions, manuscripts, and archival treasures.
About Juilliard
Founded in 1905, The Juilliard School is globally recognized as a leader in performing arts education. Juilliard’s mission is to cultivate the highest level of artistic excellence in gifted musicians, dancers, and actors from around the world, empowering them to achieve their full potential as artists, leaders, and global citizens. Located in New York City’s Lincoln Center, Juilliard offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across dance, drama, and music, encompassing classical, jazz, historical performance, and vocal arts. With over 800 artists from diverse backgrounds, Juilliard presents over 700 annual performances in its theaters and renowned venues like Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully and David Geffen Halls, Carnegie Hall, and stages worldwide. Extending its reach beyond its New York campus, Juilliard is shaping the future of performing arts education globally through The Tianjin Juilliard School and K-12 educational initiatives.
